Solving All the Wrong Problems

I think it's a phase entrepreneurs go through. I know I spent time during college trying to get little social apps or other services off the ground.

With the passage of time and a couple failed startups, working on one of these pointless apps now holds no interest. I started a side project after my last failed company that turned into something and which I've been bootstrapping since, but I don't have any illusions about it saving the world or anything like that.

I do however have a laundry list of 3-5 big hairy societal problems that I want to take a stab at some day, and I regularly find myself thinking about how I can take this side project-turned-company into something more meaningful. Otherwise, what's the point in working on it long term?

I think over time, a lot of these founders will tend toward more impactful ideas. Blaming them, calling it a "problem" misses the point hat it's all part of the maturation process.

Eh, most of these services are essentially get-rich-quick schemes and there's nothing (too) wrong with that. Most will be gone in a few years, falling victim to unsustainable business models, regulatory obstacles, or a sheer inability to monetize. Some will live on, giving us new services to spend our money on.

This is Silicon Valley's way of throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks. I don't know why the writer takes such an issue with the fact that everyone claims their idea will change the world; we know better. And if we're pleasantly surprised, we'll know in the end.